EU officials condemn Turkey's exclusion of Cyprus from COP31 preparations

During a press conference following the Environment Council in Luxembourg, European Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra and Cypriot Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Maria Panayiotou addressed the exclusion of Cyprus from preparatory meetings for the COP31 climate conference held in New York and Tokyo. Turkey, as the host country for the UN-organized event, was criticized for failing to invite Cyprus. Commissioner Hoekstra stated that any differentiation in the treatment of EU member states is unacceptable and noted that host countries must adhere to specific obligations. He emphasized that the EU stands as a collective of 27 member states and will convey this position to the Turkish presidency, Australian officials, and the UN. Minister Panayiotou requested an early response from the EU if Cyprus continues to be excluded from future conference events. When asked about potential boycotts, Hoekstra reiterated the bloc's unity, describing the EU as a union of 27 members. The officials maintained that international conferences under the UN must operate without the influence of individual national diplomacy from the host state.